James

I am brought back into the room by the sudden jolt of sound effects of clapping.

Father must have finished his speech on the rebel attack intrusion and how there might be a cure for the 'devil's marking' plague even though the budget doesn't look too good.
There's always a downpour when the sun's out.

I can see the camera man staring at me, waving his hand for me to move.
I look at Odessa to see her glaring at me urging me to get up. I see the red light of the camera glow as the makeup crew stand behind, waiting for my next move.

Oh so by the looks of things they already called me up.
With sweaty hands holding on to the blue envelope I come onto the stage, both Trina and Diva smiling and waving madly.

"Hello James! How are you?" They ask with their high pitch monotone.
I can only smirk and reply, "I'm alright thanks" but inside I am crumbling.
I have the blue envelope given by Father in my hands, his sharp warning is in the back of my head.

I don't want to do this. This isn't right. No matter what father says, I can't do this. No, it isn't right.
Odessa, even if earlier on she was alright about it, will hate me if she hears me. Her being here in the same room as me is unbearable.
But Father's staring eyes also make me want to do this, to just get it over and one with and maybe for once get his approval.

"So James tell us about your mysterious girl" they already jump into questioning about the stupid girl I mentioned last time.
"Oh ah well.." I pause to contemplate on what to say next. Honestly I want to get this done and over with.

"Someone has informed us that at the Southern Isles banquet there was a special girl" Diva winks and grins and soon motions forward to the big screen. An image of me standing beside Audery appears before us. We both look intrigued by each other as we sip champagne. That feels like such a long time ago, especially after what happened next.

The unfortunate thing I was now apologising for.

Ever since father nearly choked me, I have practised reading it aloud, but each thing I do I feel like getting sick afterwards.
It's just awful, the crumpled paper is full of twisted lies, lies I do not intend to actually believe.

"Don't you both look fabulous?!" They squeal. I can only nod solemnly, not really in the right frame of thought to think about Audery, especially after my encounter with Xavier.

Honestly I never expected anything like that to ever happen. I knew he was acting strange after my panic attack on that night but I never thought it would lead to that.

The warm sensation of his lips against mine, it felt different. Something stirred inside my body as he fell on top of me. He made me felt breathless.

I believe Diva and Trina notice my state as Diva coughs and squeaks
James, we believe you have an important announcement to make"

My heart leaps and instantly I rub the back of my neck covered in sweat and beckon forward towards the podium laid out for Father's usual speech.

I fumble to get out the piece of crumpled paper from the envelope. I let out a cool shaky breath as I try to stay calm.
'Just breath in and out'  I tell my myself.  'In and Out'

Finally the paper is folded out on the stand and I take one last final long breath.

"Good evening citizens of Erivale" I start, staring into the camera lenses. I know this paper practically off by heart but right now it feels I am lost for words as I mumble on.

"It has occurred to me as the next heir to the throne, I have disobey my duties and betray our nation. It seems when our visitor Prince Nicolai came to visit our fine palace, I decided to take action into my own hands and unleash my wrath. It seems at the time I was truly intoxicated.."

Now my tongue is tied as I look down at the page. As I try to continue nothing comes out. That's because the next part always kills me.

"...and I decided to attack Nicolai, leaving him badly injured. After our encounter it is believed that the actions of both Odessa and I have shattered Nicolai's self esteem. I am mostly to blame but on part of Odessa, I must apology on her behalf as her conduct was not angelic as believed. She took advantaged on an intoxicated Nicolai."

When I finish this sentence you can only hear a pin drop in the large parlour room. Everyone is stunned.

Diva and Trina look traumatised by what I have just said. The younger children don't know what to think, they just have their mouth agape with shock while Odessa looks like her heart just shattered into hundreds of pieces.

Even though I want to stop, I have to continue on as Father is watching keenfully.

"I must say, on behalf of Odessa and I, part of the royal monarchy of Erivale, we are truly sorry for our conduct. We hope you accept our apology Nicolai, Fernardo and Isabelle of the Southern Isles and we do hope we, as a nation, can regain our alliance and make our countries into better and brighter nations"

I unfold the crumpled paper and turn back to my seat. The national anthem plays but I cannot pay attention.

I can only focus on Odessa's pale complexion.

* * * * *

I have only stepped into my room when Odessa slams her palms into my chest. I lose my balance and crash into my chest of drawers, knocking my pile of books.
They fall into the ground and I can hear the soft thump of pages hitting the carpet.

"How dare you!" She shouts, as I try to contain my composure as I try to get up slowly.
"I can't believe you would betray me like that!" She snarls, throwing her arms up in the air.
"I trusted you, and to think yesterday I gave you fancy wine for your stupid girlfriend!" She spits sharply on the word trusted, leaving me feel guiltier than ever.

"Odessa I can explain!" I pull myself upwards and reach for her hand.
"Get away from me!" she says through her teeth, backing away.

"Please Odessa this wasn't my choice" I plead, my voice coming across more sorrowful than ever.
"Then whose choice was it then!" She snaps.
"Look Odessa, Father made me do it!" I say with sincere remorse.
"Honestly I didn't want to do it but you know father! I couldn't just stop and not act along"

She huffs and avoids my gaze.
"After everything I've been through you do this! James I had nightmares of that man coming back doing far worse things to me! You just made things ten times worse and made that sleazy.." she pauses as she doesn't want to say a harsh word, even though he truly deserves it.
"..that sleazy man look like the victim! Even after what happened to you that night, I'm ashamed you played by Father's rules!"

She stops and finally stares dead set into my eyes, her face stone cold.
"Don't you dare try to apology, I don't think I can ever forgive you"

Before I can even fully understand what t she says, she storms off and slams the door.

Great. So much her saying 'no matter what I'll always be here for you'
Such utter bullshit.

Instead of picking up the fallen books, I kick them furiously, reading pages in the process.
I swear loudly as I kick the edge of my piano.

None of this should have happened.

Damn Nicolai, damn Father, damn Odessa and damn Xavier for all making me feel this way.

After unleashing all my anger, I flop onto my bed. I stare up at the egg shell coloured ceiling in a daze as I try to control my thoughts.
I need something to distract me after that disaster.

Gingerly I edge forward to my bedside table and grab the telephone.
After placing the call, a few rings later the phone finally picks up.

Straight away I say "Come up here now. I need to see you"

So this is Chapter Twenty!!
Ahh honestly you guys don't understand how it feels to think I've actually written twenty chapters!!
Usually I give up on any story after chapter five but all your lovely comments keep me motivated.
I love you all so much! *hug you all*
Please vote and comment, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!